The Levels and Moors form a unique flat, open landscape and the treeless pastureland is dominated by distant views of the surrounding hills.

Most of the area is no higher than 25ft above sea level, though the Levels (coastal marine clays) are higher than the inland Moors which have peat as its central feature.

These areas are protected from coastal flooding by the clay ridge at the coast and by the control of water by pumping.

To the north of the Polden Hills this wetland is naturally supplied by the rivers, Axe, Sheppey and Brue; while in the south, the main rivers are the Cary, Yeo, Tone and Parrett. The latter is tidal up to Oath Lock near Langport.

The relative flatness of the Levels and Moors make the area ideal for outdoor recreation. For cycling enthusiasts, there are circular routes of between 22 and 28 miles in length and feature The Withy Way, the Isle Valley, the Avalon Marshes and the Peat Moor Routes
For more details, contact the Somerset Visitor Centre (01934 750833).

There are also four circular rides around Sedgemoor and the West Country Way links to Route 3 of the National Cycle Network.

Ramblers and walkers can enjoy the following major routes in the Levels and Moors:
1) MacMillan Way West (www.macmillanway.org)
2) River Parrett Trail (www.riverparrett-trail.org.uk)
3) Celtic Way

At the start...
After the last glaciation 10,000 years ago, the sea level rose and all of the Levels and Moors were under water. At around, 4,500BC peat deposits began to form in salt marsh, fen and raised bog environments and the Levels and Moors began to emerge.
To cross these wetlands and reach the islands of rock and sand in the valleys, prehistoric people built wooden trackways - these survive to the present day due to waterlogging of the peat areas. The oldest was the Sweet Track built in 3806 BC

Reconstructions of prehistoric roundhouses and trackways can be found at the Peat Moors Centre (01458 860697).

Iron Age ...
The remains of Iron Age villages have been found in the wetlands near Meare and Glastonbury. The Meare settlements were seasonal trading centres but the one near Glastonbury was permanently occupied, although it could only be reached by dugout canoe.

Roman Times ..
In Roman times, the first sea and river defences were built and traces of Roman fields still exist in the Axe valley. A salt-mining industry was based around Woolavington, Burtle and Burnham. At the end of the Roman period, the defences failed and large scale flooding took place.
The Saxons chose the islands in the moors as locations for Monastic centres. These included Athelney where King Alfred also built a fort in the 9th century - this led to his successful campaign to drive out the Danish Vikings.

Sumersaeta...
The rich summer grazing land on the Levels and Moors may have given rise to the name 'Sumersaeta' - land of the summer people - from where Somerset gets its name.

Middle Ages ...
In the Medieval period, the ecclesiastical estates of Glastonbury, Wells and Muchelney owned large parts of the Moors which they began to enclose and protect from flooding. This included building floodbanks, such as Burrow Wall that now runs beside the A361 from Othery to Burrowbridge. The courses of the rivers were also straightened for better drainage and as sources of power for the mills.

The wetlands remained important for wildfowling and fishing and other products of the area were timber, peat and reeds.

Land reclamation ...
Between 1400 and 1770, some land reclamation took place but, following the dissolution of the monastries, most land was not church owned. There was considerable opposition to large scale drainage work which would result in the loss of 'commoners' rights, such as cutting peat for fuel and grazing.

In 1685, the last battle fought on English soil occurred at Westonzoyland where supporters of the Duke of Monmouth were defeated by King James II's army.

From 1770 to 1840, the main period of enclosure took place, with many rhynes or ditches cut, draining and dividing the land into rectangular units - this led to much of the pattern of roads and farms we see today. Tidal sluices and new or straightened river channels were created, including King's Sedgemoor Drain and South Drain. Commoners agreed to this reclamation in return for small plots of their own.

Herons nest in the woodland around West Sedgemoor and are often seen feeding on fish, eels and frogs in the ditches and rhynes.

Wintering Birds
It is vital in winter that the Levels and Moors have at least some surface splash flooding, as overwintering birds, such as Teal, Pintail and Plovers depend on these flooded areas.

Birds of prey also need the high water table. These include Merlin and Peregrine Falcons in winter and Marsh Harriers in summer.

Meadow Flowers
Many of the plants growing in the wetter, unploughed meadows - Ragged Robin, Marsh Marigold and Meadowsweet - are descendants of those marsh flowers found preserved in the peat. Far fewer are found in fertilised pastureland.

Rhynes
These ditches are man-made but have been colonised by plants that inhabited the old wetland pools - notably floating aquatics and rushes. The ditches are cleaned on a strict rotation so plant colonies are never destroyed and they have time to re-establish themselves.